University students will begin receiving U-PASS cards coded for the Ventra system the week of Aug. 5th, the CTA said.

More than 100,000 emails were sent to Chicago Card Plus and Chicago Card registered customers to make sure their mailing address is updated to receive their new free Ventra cards by mail, CTA said.

Customers who pay with magnetic stripe fare cards and unregistered Chicago Card customers will be able to transfer balances to their Ventra cards at select locations starting in September, CTA said, although spending down balances on current cards remains the simplest method of transitioning to Ventra.

Information about Ventra can be found at ventrachicago.com, transitchicago.com and pacebus.com. All Ventra customers starting August 5 can call (877) NOW VENTRA (699-8368). Starting August 12, customers can visit the new Ventra Customer Service Center at 165 N. Jefferson Street, Chicago, IL 60661 to learn more about Ventra. Sales of Ventra cards at that location will begin September 9.